ROCKLAND — Rockland Police department has announced the hiring of Aaron Schmitz as a new patrol officer.

Schmitz is a native Mainer, and graduated high school from Saint Dominic Academy. He attends Unity College, where he is nearly finished with his bachelor's degree in conservation law enforcement, according to a news release. In his spare time, Schmitz enjoys playing sports, hunting and fishing.

Schmitz said that his inspiration to be a police officer began when he was in the sixth-grade. At the time, police officer Paul Harrison taught the Career Advancement Profile program in his school. “I looked up to him as a role model and wanted to change people’s lives like he changed mine through education, enforcement and helping those in need,” Schmitz said.

Schmitz said he chose the Rockland Police Department because it’s a closeknit group of officers.

“Watching the officers interact like a family really made me want to be a part of the brotherhood they have here. The department looked like a perfect fit for me,” Schmitz said.

Schmitz said he does not have a memorable experience from the job so far. “I have not worked long enough to have a significant memory here, but I know there will be some soon,” he said.

Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com